Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gxg78 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T11:24:29.919Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The role of coprophagous beetles in the dissemination of taeniasis in Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

M. J. Mutinga
Affiliation:
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
G. Madel
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Zoology an der Immenburg 1, 53 Bonn, West Germany
Get access

Abstract

Coprophagous beetles belonging to two genera, Onitis and Heliocopris, were collected and fed on proglotids and eggs of Taenia saginata. The beetles' faeces was collected after 24 hr onwards and examined for Taenia eggs. The flight range and behaviour of the beetles was investigated using cow rumen contents as bait for starved marked beetles. Results indicate that coprophagous beetles could play a role in dissemination of taeniasis.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1981

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Harada, F. (1954) Investigation of hookworm larvae—IV. On the fly as carrier of hookworm larvae. Yokahama med. Bull. 5, 282286. (Helminth. Abstr. 23, 239, abstract No. 5286.)Google ScholarPubMed
Harris, A. H. and Down, H. A. (1946) Studies on the dissemination of cysts and ova of human intestinal parasites by flies in various localities on Guam. Am. J. trop. Med. 26, 789800.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Heinz, H. J. (1949) Methodik zur Untersuchung des Darminhaltes von Fliegen auf pathogene Darmprotozoen des Menschen. Zentbl. Bakt. Parasitkde. Abt. Orig. 153, 106108.Google Scholar
Heinz, H. J. and Brauns, W. (1955) The ability of flies to transmit ova of Echinococcus granulosus to human foods. S. Afr. J. med. Sci. 20, 131132.Google ScholarPubMed
Nicole, W. (1911) Report to the Local Government Board on Public Health and Medical Subjects (New series, No. 53). Further Reports (No. 4) on Flies as Carriers of Infection. HMSO, London.Google Scholar
Patton, W. S. (1931) Insects, Ticks, Mites and Venomous Animals of Medical and Veterinary Importance. Part II. Public Health, p. 624. Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool.Google Scholar
Pinkin, A. C. (1949) Experimental studies on the role of filth flies in the transmission of Endamoeba histolytica. Am. J. Hyg. 49, 255275.Google Scholar
Round, M. Y. (1961) Observations on the possible role of filth flies in the epizootiology of bovine cysticercosis in Kenya. J. Hyg., Camb. 59, 505513.Google ScholarPubMed
Schiller, E. L. (1954) Studies on the helminth fauna of Alaska. XIX. An experimental study on the blowfly (Phormia regina) transmission of hydatid disease. Expl parasit. 3, 161166.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schircore, T. O. (1916) A note on some helminthic disease with special reference to the housefly as natural carrier of the ova. Parasitology 8, 239243.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Silverman, P. H, (1954) Studies on the biology of some tapeworms of the genus Taenia. Factors affecting the hatching and activation of Taenia ova, and some criteria of their viability. Ann. trop. Med. Parasit. 48, 207215.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed